The 5th Annual Long Beach International Film Festival (LBIFF) recently announced the highly anticipated lineup of films at this year’s milestone event, which runs August 3 to 5 in Long Beach. This year, the festival will highlight New York-centric films and filmmakers as well as LGBT-themed films.
The festival will open with Money, at 7 p.m. at Long Beach’s recently renovated, state-of-the-art theater, Long Beach Cinema 4. Money is a 2016 American thriller film and the directorial debut of Martin Rosete.
Set in the Hamptons, the film stars heartthrobs including Jesse Williams, best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC Television series Grey’s Anatomy, Kellan Lutz known for his role in The Twilight Saga film series and others. Williams, a humanitarian and civil rights activist in real life, plays a greedy, wealthy businessman about to get away with $5 million in ill-gotten money until plans are revealed by an uninvited house guest.
The LBIFF will be the New York premiere of the film that was shot in local Long Island towns including Woodbury among others.
“It is an honor to present our film Money in the LBIFF, very close to where the movie was filmed last summer,” said Martin Rosete-Kamel, award-winning Spanish filmmaker and director of Money. “Money is a US-Europe coproduction and I think we found that wonderful mix of having a very personal story that we were able to tell in a universal way. The actors are amazing and they did a great job in the film. Honestly, I could not have dreamt a better cast for Money. I hope the audience of LBIFF enjoys watching our movie.”
“Considering we shot our film primarily in Long Island we couldn’t be more thrilled to have been chosen to have our New York premiere be at LBIFF and on top to be given the honor to open the film festival,” said Atit Shah, producer of Money and CEO of Create Entertainment. “We look forward to sharing this film with the local community.”
The festival is proud to have many New York-focused films such as Fire and Water, an inspirational and unique documentary that looks at New York City’s history through the eyes of local surfer turned New York City Firefighter, Don Eichin. The film was produced by filmmaker Thomas Brookins based in Rockaway Beach, New York.
A few featured films reveal the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy on the Long Beach area including A Rising Tide and Saving Jamaica Bay. A Rising Tide directed by Ben Hickernell tells the story of a young chef struggling to save his family’s restaurant after it is virtually destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. His love for cooking, family and an unexpected lover keeps his spirits up and his hopes afloat.
Saving Jamaica Bay directed by David Sigal showcases a community fight against the government and Hurricane Sandy to preserve a precious resource that had become a dumping ground for garbage and murdered mobsters.
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano stated, “The Long Beach International Film Festival continues to offer residents an opportunity to enjoy arts and entertainment, while also providing those in the movie and television production industry with insight to the wonderful filming locations Nassau County has to offer. Home to Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios, as well as the live studio audience sitcom Kevin Can Wait starring Kevin James, Nassau County is becoming Hollywood East.”
“The city is absolutely thrilled to host the fifth annual Long Beach International Film Festival,” said City Manager Jack Schnirman. “We are proud to be a sponsor and offer all the support we can. This is an event that we look forward to every summer—it truly epitomizes Long Beach life.”
Making its world premiere, Beauty and the Beer will have a Q-and-A session for attendees with the director, Anne Newman. The New York-based film is a story about The Miss Rheingold contest 1941-1964, one of the most successful marketing campaigns in U.S. history. In 1959, 20 million ballots were cast for Miss Rheingold. New Yorkers were given the opportunity to vote in bars, bodegas and grocery stores for their candidate.
Other notable films set in a similar time frame are Spirit of Iris and Aviatrix: The Katherine Sui Fun Cheung Story. Spirit of Iris, directed by Corinne Jayaweera is the story of a trail blazing woman, who swam in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany and was in one of the earliest groups of women to ferry planes for the Air Transport Command in World War II.
Aviatrix: The Katherine Sui Fun Cheung Story is the story of a Chinese immigrant who defied racial and gender bias to become a pioneering daredevil stunt pilot during the Golden Age of Aviation in the 1930s.
Other acclaimed titles in this year’s competition include Chasing the Win, making its East Coast premiere. The film follows the meteoric rise of a rookie trainer, a long time owner, and their beloved racehorse after an unprecedented victory thrusts them into the global spotlight of horse racing.
Leaves of the Tree, a film set in Sicily about a mystical tree, shrouded in religious lore, leads a once powerful lawyer sidelined by a life threatening disease, to discover the secret of the tree’s medicinal leaves. Leaves of the Tree intersects faith, doubt and belief for all those that come into contact with its unique ability to heal.
The festival’s founders are proud and excited to showcase a series of LGBT themed films that document local stories. Directed by Dave Dodds, Cherry’s in Season, documents a season in the life of Fire Island’s legendary gay bar, Cherry’s On the Bay. Staff, owners and regulars recount the storied history of the bar, including connections to the American Gay Rights Movement.
Making its world premiere, Fire Island is about happy wife becoming a heartbroken widow and mixed-up mistress, while only in her early thirties. She’s determined to find her way back to a happy life with a journey that kicks off on Fire Island.
A few foreign films are showcased in the short films programs throughout the festival as well as the feature documentary Since: The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, a United Kingdom-based film.
LBIFF also would not be complete without an action sports/surfing block, which includes Dirty Old Wedge, Saltwater Buddha and more.
LBIFF acknowledges and thanks the many festival sponsors who demonstrate their commitment to aspiring filmmakers and expanding the local arts community through their financial support. South Nassau Communities Hospital is sponsoring Shorts On The Beach Film Series and Key Foods of Rockville Centre, will be presenting the opening night film.
For more information about the 5th Annual Long Beach International Film Fest, visit www.longbeachfilm.com.
Full Lineup
OPENING NIGHT • Presented By Key Food of Rockville Centre
Wednesday, August 3 • 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. • Long Beach Cinema
Money
Two wealthy businessmen are about to get away with $5 million in ill-gotten money until their plans are revealed by an uninvited house guest.
USA | 86 min. | Dir. Martín Rosete
THURSDAY
Thursday, August 4 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Long Beach Cinema
Beauty and the Beer
The Miss Rheingold contest 1941-1964 might be one of the most successful marketing campaigns in U.S. history. In 1959, 20 million ballots were cast for Miss Rheingold. New Yorkers got the chance to vote in bars, bodegas, and grocery stores for their candidate.
USA | 75 min. | Dir. Anne Newman
Chasing the Win
Chasing the Win follows the meteoric rise of a rookie trainer, a long time owner, and their beloved racehorse after an unprecedented victory thrusts them into the global spotlight of horse racing.
USA | 79 min. | Dir. Laura Sheehy, Chris Ghelfi
Spirit of Iris
The story of a trail blazing woman, who swam in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, and was in one of the earliest groups of women to ferry planes for the Air Transport Command in World War II.
USA | 8.5 min. | Dir. Corinne Jayaweera
Feature documentary/East Coast premiere/Filmmaker Q-and-A
AVIATRIX: The Katherine Sui Fun Cheung Story
The story of Asian Aviatrix Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, a Chinese immigrant who defied racial and gender bias to become a pioneering daredevil stunt pilot during the Golden Age of Aviation in the 1930s.
USA | 41 min. | Dir. Ed Moy
Leaves of the Tree
A mystical tree, shrouded in religious lore, leads a once powerful lawyer sidelined by a life threatening disease, to remote Sicily to discover the secret of the tree’s medicinal leaves. “The Tree” intersects faith, doubt and belief for all those that come into contact with its unique ability to heal.
USA | 96 min. | Dir. Ante Novakovic
Since: The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103
The 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killed 270 innocent people and began the new age of terrorism. Bound together in tragedy, the victim’s relatives fought for justice, only to watch it unravel for Libyan oil..
UK/USA | 84 min. | Dir. Phil Furey
Saving Jamaica Bay
Saving Jamaica Bay is about a community’s fight against the government and Hurricane Sandy to preserve a precious resource that had become a dumping ground for garbage and murdered mobsters.
USA | min. | Dir. David Sigal
SHORTS PROGRAM • DRAMA
Thursday, August 4 • 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Nocturne In Black
In a war-ravaged Middle Eastern neighborhood, a musician struggles to rebuild his piano after it is destroyed by terrorists.
Lebanon | 23 min. | Dir. Jimmy Keyrouz
Raisa
Moldova. One winter day, Raisa travels into the city hoping to get something that could change her life.
Austria |15 min. | Dir. Pavel Cuzuioc
Red-Green
The daughter of a single father falls in love with painting but her father is unable to fully appreciate her work because of his colorblindness.
USA | 4:45 min. | Dir. Jade Small
Remembered
When a young man gets upset that nobody showed up to his grandma’s funeral, he reflects back on the relationship he once had with her.
USA | 4:16 min. | Dir. Chris Armienti
Signing Out
Two young women, still recovering from the end of their romantic relationship with each other, unknowingly see the same therapist years later and are forced to come to terms with what happened.
USA | 10 min. | Dir. Dana Brawer
Situational
One roommate kidnaps another to cure him of depression with a sunrise over the ocean.
USA | 22:17 min. | Dir. Scott Simonsen
Thursday, August 4 • 5:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. • Long Beach Cinema
A Rising Tide
A young chef struggles to save his family’s restaurant after it is virtually destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. His love for cooking, family, and an unexpected love keep his spirits up and his hopes afloat.
USA | 110 min. | Dir. Ben Hickernell
Cherry’s In Season
A season in the life of Fire Island’s legendary gay bar, Cherry’s On The Bay. Staff, owners and regulars recount the storied history of the bar, including connections to the American Gay Rights Movement.
USA | 74 min. | Dir. Dave Dodds
Fire Island
Mimi’s life has flipped upside down! She’s gone from happy wife to heartbroken widow and mixed-up mistress, while only in her early thirties. She’s determined to find her way back to a happy life. Mimi’s journey kicks off on Fire Island. Come along as she finds her way back to love or in this case, Cleveland!
USA | 79 min. | Dir. Mimi Spiwak Harris
Money
Two wealthy businessmen are about to get away with $5 million in ill-gotten money until their plans are revealed by an uninvited house guest.
USA | 86 min. | Dir. Martín Rosete
FRIDAY’S SHORTS PROGRAM • DOCUMENTARY
Friday, August 5 • 10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
Eye of India
Eye of India is a visual record of a journey across India that showcases the diverse culture of one of the world’s fastest developing nations.
UK | 3 min. | Dir. Benn Berkeley
Mind Up
Mind Up highlights the stories behind some of the great individuals who make up the Bartendaz, a non-profit organization that combines a unique physical fitness program and hip-hop to push young people and communities to higher standards of excellence.
USA | 6.4 min. | Dir. Kevin Lopez
Muir Song
Muir Song is an inspirational montage of visuals that intends to capture the energy and attitude of the Pacific Northwest through the eyes of people who do so religiously.
USA | 3:18 min. | Dir. Janssen Powers
Sharing the Stoke
Dylan Hronec is a surfer with cerebral pasly, who shares the stoke with friend Cliff Skudin, a world class surfer from Long Beach, NY, and co-founder of Surf For All.
USA | 8 min. | Dir. Kevin Lopez
Spiritual Wealth: A Legacy of Weaving and Color
A journey that explores the ancient processes used by the artisans of Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca.
Mexico | 8:51 min. | Dir. Malaquita Festivales
Spirit of Iris
The story of a trail blazing woman, who swam in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany and was in one of the earliest groups of women to ferry planes for the Air Transport Command in World War II.
USA | 8.5 min. | Dir. Corinne Jayaweera
Starring Austin Pendleton
Actor Austin Pendleton reflects on his life and craft, while his A-list peers discuss his vast influence and dogged determination, and what it means to be an original in today’s celebrity obsessed world.
USA | 19.2 min. | Dir. Gene Gallerano, David H. Holmes
The Honey’s and Bears
Members of the Harlem Honeys and Bears, a synchronized swim team for seniors, describe the freedom of the water.
USA | 3.32 min. | Dir. Veena Rao
Trafficked in the U.S.
The stories of two survivor exposes the cruel truth of Human Trafficking in America.
USA | 15 min. | Dir. Charles Vijay Kumar, C.Ss.R.
SHORTS PROGRAM • COMEDY
Friday, August 5 • 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. • LONG BEACH CINEMAS
Alike
In a busy life, Copi is a father who tries to teach the right way to his son, Paste. But…what is the correct path?
8 min. | Dir. Daniel Martínez Lara, Rafa Cano Méndez
An Object at Rest
An Object at Rest follows the life of a stone as it travels over the course of millennia, facing nature’s greatest obstacle: human civilization.
05:43 min. | Dir. Seth Boyden
Boris in the Forest
A black comedy about a Californian geek in search of his horror hero Boris Karloff.
12 min. | Dir. Robert Hackett
Fox Tale
Mr. Fox makes fun of a poor hare’s diminutive tail. However, he ultimately finds out that what goes around, comes around.
02:18 min. | Dir. Doosun Shin
Glove
The true story of a glove that’s been floating in space since 1968.
6 min. | Dir. Alexa Lim Haas, Bernardo Britto
Good Business
A charming business man gets revenge on his ex-mother in law at dinner.
7 min. | Dir. Frank Dale Arroyo
Opt Out
Just another crazy (as in seriously psycho) day at the office..
3 min. | Dir. Steve Utaski
Stalker Breakup
A stalker treis to break up with the girl he’s been stalking. It’s harder than it sounds.
07:30 min. | Dir. Thomas Michael
Stretch
Animation.
3 min. | Dir. Pravin Vatt
Super Sex
It’s always hard to find something for a dad (Ed Asner) who has everything. He says he just wants to be loved. So his children (played by Kevin Nealon & Elizabeth Perkins) provide it in a way they never before imagined—Super Sex!.
8:15 min. | Dir. Matthew Modine
FRIDAY
Friday, August 5 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Long Beach Cinema
Dirty Old Wedge
This is the story about the wave and those who live it.
USA | 66 min. | Dir. Tim Burnham
Saltwater Buddha
After leaving a note for his family, a lost teenager runs away to Hawaii with just enough cash for a surfboard. Through surfing misadventures, zen monasteries, and travels, he finds his way home.
USA | 60 min. | Dir. Lara Popyack
Coach of the Year
An irreverent swim coach tries to win a state title without a pool to practice in. A kid-friendly sports comedy that’s been described as “The Bad News Bears underwater.”
USA | 82 min. | Dir. David Stott
Fire and Water
A new look into New York City’s history through the eyes of Surfer and FDNY firefighter Don Eichin. With his perspective on the sport of Surfing and its effect on the city & its coastal culture. The surfing culture of NYC is much larger than many would know and has been there since the early days of the sports origins.
USA | 60 min. | Dir. Thomas Brookins
Nobody Walks in L.A.
Two old friends who, faced with decisions that cannot wait, put their lives on pause for a day and do the unthinkable…walk around Los Angeles. Putting aside a failing engagement on the one hand and a cross country move on the other—Miles and Becca rediscover not just the streets of Los Angeles… but one another.
USA | min. | Dir. Collin Schiffli
SHORTS ON THE BEACH
Friday, August 5 • 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. • Beachfront @ Allegria Hotel 80 W Broadway Long Beach, NY 11561
